William p



Patented Oct. 28, 18970 (No Model.)

W CABINET O. P. TRACY.

R FOLDING BEDSTEAD UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM P. TRACY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO ARTHUR MEIGSAND GEORGE N. DAVIS.

vCABINET OR FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,444, dated October28, 1890.

Application filed June 5, 1890. Serial No. 354,347. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

i Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. TRACY, of Grand Rapids, in the countyof Kent and State of Michigan, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Cabinet or Folding Bedsteads; and I do hereby declarethat the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My said invention is an improvement upon the' cabinet-bedstead shown inLetters Patent of the United States granted to me on the 4th day ofMarch, 1890, and numbered 422,555.

The invention hereinafter` described relates in part to an improvedconstruction or arrangement of the eccentric and its strap or ring andspring, and in part to the combination therewith of a supplementalspring.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which theigure represents the bed and cabinet in elevation, with parts insection.

In the drawing, A represents the cabinet in which the bedstead isfolded, and B the bedstead, these not being necessarily different fromcabinet-bedsteads heretofore in use. On the pivoted end of thebedstead,on each side, is fixed a disk O, as in my said patent, andhaving also a strap or encircling ring and spring. The ring D may be ofcast, malleable, or wrought metal. It is loose on the disk, and is heldin place between the outer side of the bedstead and the inner face ofthe side of the case. The pivots on which the bedstead turns are setthrough or into these disks eccentrically, and are so arranged that whenthe disks turn with the bedstead the rings will be drawn or forced up ordown, the parts working like an ordinary eccentric and strap. In my saidpatent I have shown a construction in which the bed is held in placewhen down mainly by the friction of the strap with the ring, and thespring attached to the strap or ring is the only means for automaticallyraising the bedstead.

In my invention shown herein I provide a supplemental spring to assistin raising the bed from a horizontal to a vertical position and forequalizing or aiding in equalizing its movements, and this operates inconnection with the improved construction and arrangement of the diskand its connections, as hereinafter explained. In my said patent thetension of the spring connected to the stran or ring around the disk issubstantially 1n line through the pivot of the bedstead and the centerof the disk when the bedstead is down. As a result of this arrangementthere is a tendency in the outer or free end of thebedstead to riseslightly, and this tendencyis 1ncreased when the supplemental spring isused. To avoid this and to lock the bedstead in its lowered position, Ihave placed the pivot 1n rear of the diametrical line drawn through thedisk and the spring or toward the foot of the bed when the bedstead isdown.

It will be understood that when the bedstead is in this position thehigh part of the eccentric disk is on the under side ani the spring isunder its greatest tension. t

Referring to the figure, the sprlng will be seen at y. It is a coiledspring and is placed about the rod d, and is under compression between abearing on a bracket c and a nut f on the rod, by means of which nut thetension of the spring is regulated. The rod is connected to the ring bymeans of a rivet or bolt and a lug cast upon the ring. Preferably therod is connected to the bracket at an inclination to the front of aperpendicular line. The point at which the pivot is set is shown at Z.Therefore the line of strain of the spring is in front of the pivot andtends to hold the bedstead down, this tendency increasing as soon as thepivot-point passes the diametrical line to the springg in the loweringof the bedstead. This secures the bedstead in place and prevents anyrebound.

In my bedstead I have used a disk or ec centric of about eight inches indiameter and have arranged the pivot about one inch from the center. Itsdistance from the diametrical line need be but very little, onlysufficient to lock the disk. In raising the bed the spring g will beginto act upon the bedstead as soon as the pivotal point has passed infront of the diametrical line.

The supplemental spring la is a coil about a rod inclosed in a tube orcase o, and isheld adjustably by means of a nut on the end of said rod,the lower end of the spring bearing on a bracket or in the case throughwhich the rod passes, as shown. The lower end of the rod is pivoted toan arm n, preferably fixed to the disk and extending toward the foot ofIOO 4 and springs are the same on both sides of the bedstead. i

At the lower part of the case I have arranged a small bed suitable forsmall children. This is shown at M. It is pivoted at the lower outercorner. The bed is in the form of a box, and when tilted or turned outis open above and is supported on bars or a frame, which may be drawnout, as shown, or in any suitable manner. This may be used also forstoring the bedclothes. The upper part of lche front of the case may beutilized as a ward robe or book-case, being provided therefor withsuitable doors.

It will be understood that the mechanism herein described may be used inoperating folding bath-tubs without departingfrom the spirit of myinvention.

I claiml. In combination,the cabinet, the folding bedstead, the disksfixed to the bedstead, the rings embracing the disks, the springs forapplying a tension to said rings, the pivot of the disk and bedsteadbeing eccentrically arranged to lie to one side of the line of tensionand in rear thereof when the bedstead is down.

2. In combination, the cabinet, the folding bedstead, the disks xed tothe bedstead, the rings embracing the disks, the springs for applying atension to the rings, the pivot being eccentrically arranged to secure alocking effect when the bedstead is down, the liftingspring lo, and theconnection therefrom to the bedstead, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of 5o two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM P. TRACY.

Witnesses:

CHAS. JoHNsoN, GEO. N. DAVIS.

